April Showers

As April rolls around, we’re all taking out and dusting off our rain boots and rain jackets and umbrellas and whatnot. If you’re like me, at this point, you’re fed up with winter weather and snow and ready for a change of season.

Today I’m thinking about the timeless saying: “April showers bring May flowers.” I’m thinking about the origin of the saying, the promises behind it, and the messages it portrays.

According to a post from the blog, Petal Talk, the origins of this saying can be found in old, old poetry. Thomas Tusser mentioned it in his collection A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, 1557, and Chaucer wrote about it in the famous Canterbury Tales, 1476. It’s incredible that this simple saying has stuck around for ages.

Its longevity might have something to do with both the truth behind it and the messages underneath it. For starters, it’s obvious that the joy and life of spring comes directly after a brief transition of rain and warming that is April.

The saying provides us with some deeper messages, however. For one, it reminds us to have hope, because better, happier times are around the corner. Just like spring comes after winter, bad times are followed by good ones. Also, the saying tells us that when we push through and persevere, we’ll be met with positive results. When it rains, it pours, but after the rain comes the rainbow.

In these last few shreds of winter, I’m remaining hopeful, persevering through all that comes my way, and looking forward to spring.

Real Talk